[Tabitha’s POV]A gentle, feather-soft brushing against my cheek rouses me from my blissful darkness, drawing me back to reality, where I find someone touching me. For a moment, I try to determine exactly what is going on until images of what I did right before passing out hit me.Feeling a wave of shock run through me, I prepare to jump up and make a run for it until I hear the one beside me take in a shaky breath.“You hit home earlier,” he murmurs, causing me to freeze entirely and keep my eyes closed. “Maybe I should have told you that you weren’t alone in your pain; then you wouldn’t have looked at me with those sad eyes.”Feeling my heart squeeze, I find myself wondering exactly what Atticus is holding close to his heart, to the point where he only dared speak it when he thought no one was listening.“But is our pain truly the same?” He chuckles miserably. “You were hurt by a lover,” he continues, brushing some hair behind my ear. “But mine was my own family.”Biting back the ga
[Atticus’ POV]I stare down at Tabitha as the pain on her face slowly begins to fade, and when a slow smile begins to form on her lips, I know that she isn’t going to stop me from doing what I want. Instead, she wraps her legs around me, trapping me in place.“Do your worst,” she says seductively while moving her hips, so my dick moves in her. “I’m not afraid.”“You should be,” I counter, grabbing her hip and squeezing so she stops. “I’m not a gentle person. I don’t make love; I fuck, and I don’t stop until my partner is unable to move.”And that was only when I was playing with them. I didn’t know what I would do, given the fucking draw I felt toward her. Maybe I wouldn’t be able to stop. If that were the case, then I would most certainly hurt her, so some ground rules needed to be put in place.“If it becomes too much, you must tap the bed,” I warn.“I’ll be fine,” she counters, tempting me even more. “I’m not as weak as you think.”“You must tap the bed,” I repeat.She was being a
[Tabitha’s POV]When we arrive at the location of the most recent murder, my heart lurches in my chest. It was in the alleyway directly beside my apartment, and I just knew that this was an intentional move to show me that whoever was behind this knew exactly where I lived.Shivering, I make to get out of the car, but am stopped by Anthony’s hand pressing on my thigh.Frowning, I pointedly look down at it before snapping my gaze to his.“I think you should consider quitting this case," he announces when I don't' speak. "It's starting to get extremely sketchy. And it is becoming increasingly clear that whoever is behind it is intentionally targeting you. What if you're the next victim?"Eyes widening, I take Anthony in as if he has grown a second head. Was he really saying something like that right now?“I'm not that weak,” I hiss, shoving his hand away. “If anyone should be on this case, it is me since it is clear it is me they're playing with."Even though I knew Anthony meant well,
[Vance’s POV]I stare into the woman’s eyes as she looks at me with horror and something more delicious. Despite how she was pretending that she was scared of me, she wasn’t hiding the excitement toward my presence either. It was clear that her body missed me, and since I was here, I should make it remember how good I could make it feel.When I initially came here, it was for one thing and one thing only. I came to simply study her so I could possibly figure out exactly what she was doing to haunt me, but how was I to know that she wouldn’t come home the evening I came? That alone pissed me off and left me wanting to punish.Then, when I woke up with a burning need to fuck anything I could get my hands on, I knew what she was up to, and I was feeling what she was. In the end, I fucked Alissa after swearing that I would never lay a hand on her because the woman allowed another man to touch her.Even after a full day had passed, I was still pissed as I remembered her bruised and bitten
[Tabitha’s POV]Excitement flares through me as I obediently climb off the bed, standing at the foot of it while Vance watches me with dark, hungry eyes. I didn’t know what was wrong with me since I should be against this and trying to kill the vampire in front of me, but when I looked at him, all I could feel was the desperate need to please him and do as he wanted.It was like my only mission in life was to make this man feel good, and that both excited and unnerved me.Slowly, I begin to pull off my shirt while swiveling my hips seductively, lowering myself more and more until I’m on my knees and throwing it aside. Once it is out of the way, I move onto my pants, which I slide out of as I climb onto the bed once more.Keeping my gaze fixed on Vance’s, I start to crawl, sliding my breasts and body against his legs as I work my way up until my face is even with his crotch. Once in place, I start to undo his pants and then pull them down so that I can free his dick.Smiling, I stick o
[Atticus’ POV]I slash out, attempting to cut the vampire's fucking throat, only for him to dodge me with a look of amusement on his face.“Gotta be quicker than that,” he chuckles. "I'm not some novice irritating fae; I've been around for years, and I've learned a thing or two."Ignoring his taunt, I begin to move again, attacking with all my might while he jumps around, easily dodging each of my attacks, until he is standing in front of a window with a look of boredom on his face.“As much as I’m enjoying this, I must get going.”Giving a wink, he throws himself backwards as I move, slashing out again, this time managing to hit his chest before he topples out of the window. Cursing, I move to follow but stop as a whimper sounds from behind me. Turning, I take in Tabitha as she reaches between her thighs in an attempt to relieve the effects of the fucking venom the damned vampire put in her."Dammit!" I growl, clamping my hand so my weapon disappears. “Next time.”For now, I would le
[Tabitha’s POV]I pull the blanket that is draped around me tighter as Atticus and Anthony watch me, waiting for me to begin to speak. After getting sick in Atticus’ car, I was brought back to his home, where I could shower and change, then make myself comfortable in his large living room with pristine white furniture and no true signs that someone actually lived here. Both men waited for me to tell my story, and although Anthony already knew it, he too looked expectant.“If you don’t want to tell, I can,” he offers after a long period of silence. “I know that it may be hard.”“It’s okay,” I assure him, feeling that familiar tug of pain I felt when I saw him since his infidelity. “I’m an adult and capable of telling my own story.”I was. It was just that I hadn’t spoken of it since being sent to live in the church, and to open up to someone other than Anthony left me feeling weird.“Instead of telling me,” Atticus begins, giving me a serious look. “I could simply kill all the fucking
[Atticus’ POV]I lean forward and press my lips against Tabitha’s as she remains quiet. If only she knew how fucking badly I wanted to take her right here and now because of what I had seen her doing with another.Never in my life had I felt this fucking possessive over someone, and it was beginning to drive me mad.“Get some sleep,” I murmur, pulling away and brushing her cheek. “You’re going to need your energy for when I get my hands on you.”“What about you?” She whispers, clearly feeling the same draw as me. “What will you do?”“Help that bastard Anthony settle in,” I smirk.Nodding, she gives me one last look before heading into the room and closing the door so that I’m left alone in the hall.For a moment, I don’t move as I debate whether or not I really need to go down and deal with him. However, in the end, I move since I didn’t want him to disturb me later when I got my revenge on Tabitha.When I step into the living room, he is up and alert, and a look of relief colors his
[Tabitha’s POV]“Then we have tonight.”If you asked me if this was the outcome I was expecting after taking down Titus and ending one threat, I would say no. I wasn’t an overflowing fucking optimist, but to know that in the end, the ones who stood beside me through this time would disappear one by one was a punch to the gut.Atticus would be leaving to go to the unseelie court, Vance would need time to calm his clan and gain control, and Anthony was gone and would never be back.“I think the lady wants you,” JD chuckles, breaking the silence that had fallen around us. “Why are you just standing there?”“Shut up,” Atticus growls, reaching out and grabbing me.It doesn’t take long for us to arrive back at Atticus’ home, and the minute we step in the door, my clothes are being ripped off along with his. Once they’re out of the way, Atticus is dropping to his knees and burying his face in my folds.“Atticus,” I gasp, spreading my legs wider. “The door.”“Fuck the door,” he growls, contin
[Atticus’ POV]“His help doesn’t come easy.”The words leave my lips as I take Tabitha in, waiting to see if her resolve will quake. Maybe this was the reason that I fell for her, or maybe it was the undeniable draw that I felt. Whatever it was I knew, with or without my memories, I would choose her again and again because of the strength she radiated.“I don’t care,” she says, beginning to move. “And if you’re just going to stand here and argue, you can..."“No,” I sigh, hoisting Titus as he begins to slip. “Let’s go.”I begin to move, heading into JD’s domain, and then lead the way to his room, where he should be waiting. When we arrive, the door swings open, and a broad smile rests on his face.“Did you succeed?” He asks, eyeing the wrapped-up lump on my shoulder. “Or did you bring me another gift?"“No,” I chuckle, throwing Titus on the ground. “It’s what you want.”“But before that,” Tabitha adds, making her presence known. “There are some things that we would like to ask him.”“
[Tabitha’s POV]I wait until Atticus disappears out of the room and the sound of his steps grows distant before turning my gaze to Vance, who is watching me curiously. I was sure that he was curious why I was still standing here. I wanted to speak with him alone. And probably, what the hell was I even doing?“Promise me,” I begin, deciding there was no point in beating around the bush. “That you won’t disappear.”I knew I was asking a lot, and I wouldn’t blame him for denying my request. Technically, it was because of my existence that his brother and father are now gone. And that his clan was undergoing something so serious. But I didn’t want to lose the one solid thing I had beside me.“I know I'm asking a lot and that you don’t owe me, but..."“Shut up.”Leaning forward, Vance grabs my chin and then presses his lips against mine. Immediately, the world and all the fucking problems we are facing disappear, and all I can feel is him. Is it because of his mark on me? Because of everyt
[Tabitha’s POV]I stand up and take in the room in front of me. Atticus and Vance are both here, staring at me as if they’re looking at a ghost, and laying on the ground is Titus, and someone clearly beat the shit out of him.“Good job,” I say slowly, nodding toward the bastard on the ground. “I’m glad the two of you managed to take care of him.”It was probably ridiculous to say this after dying and then coming back, but the awkwardness was beginning to get to me.“How?” Vance rasps, moving forward.Reaching out, he attempts to touch me, but lets out a hiss when his fingers touch the sunlight and begin to burn.“Dammit,” he growls.“Here,” I say, climbing through the hole that was made in my cage while I was out of it. When I’m out of the sunlight and standing in front of Vance, I grab his wrist and bring his hand to my face so that he can feel it. “Better?”Growing quiet, I wait as he processes what is happening, and when understanding finally seems to dawn in him, he is reaching ou
[Tabitha’s POV]I feel like I’m floating. In the blissful darkness that surrounds me, I’m weightless. My body drifts in and out of what I can only assume is oblivion. Did this mean that I died? If I did, I could only hope by this point that Vance and Atticus would be able to defeat Titus, and if not... Well, there was nothing I could do at this point.Letting out a sigh, I try to drift away again so that the worry I’m beginning to feel doesn’t continue to haunt me. However, with each passing minute, I can feel my consciousness becoming clearer and clearer until I can’t remain oblivious, and it’s frustrating.Slowly, I begin to open my eyes, but I have to close them again as dazzling light attacks them, and when I open them again, I have to squint.Frowning, I begin to take in the area around me, trying to determine exactly what was happening and where I was. Was this the afterlife? But how could it be? As a sinner and a member of the undead, wouldn’t hell be the place to which I belon
[Vance’s POV]Shouts and snarls erupt around me as I burst into the mansion ahead and begin to look around. Why the fuck would Tabitha be stupid enough to go in alone when she knew that my father was most likely waiting for her?As this thought hits, two of my father’s men rush toward me. Growling, I lift my hands and connect with them. Once I’ve got control, I liff and throw them into the next line of men that are making their way toward me.Behind me, I can hear Atticus, and when icy bullets begin to erupt around me, I extend my senses until I feel Tabitha.“I’m heading up!” I announce, taking in the scene around me. “Can you handle it here?”“Yeah,” Atticus puffs, switching out the weaponry on his arms for something stronger. “Just don’t forget; I need that heart.”Nodding, I begin to move, only stopping long enough to dodge a sneak attack.“Nice try,” I grin, kicking out and sending the man crashing into the wall and then moving forward so that I can grab his head and twist until
[Tabitha’s POV]I keep my gaze fixed on the hole where the slowly-lightening sky can be seen. I had maybe twenty minutes at most before the sun was high enough to shine down on me. Shit, what the hell was I going to do?“Don’t look so afraid, my pet,” Titus murmurs. “This was always your fate from the moment you came into existence.”“Wouldn’t that mean it was the same fate for you?” I ask."No, because I wasn’t born a monster, I was turned, and in finally getting rid of you, my true love will forgive me and bring me and my people out of the shadows.”“Your true love?” I repeat as I feel my consciousness being tugged on.Gasping, I feel my eyes roll into the back of my head as images of a beautiful field with white flowers swaying in the breeze appear. Standing in the field are Titus and a woman with flowing blonde hair and bright golden eyes. She wears a white gown that is almost transparent, allowing the perfect view of her body beneath.Instantly, I feel a sense of familiarity and
[Tabitha’s POV]I can feel Vance’s hesitation as he tries to make sense of my plan. I knew that it was a suicide mission, but to see Allister suffering so fucking much because of his own father, I couldn’t stop the burning desire I felt to kill Titus.“You don’t have to join us,” Atticus offers, breaking the silence that was settling around us. “We don’t need you anyway.”“Do you really think you stand a chance against them?” Vance counters.“I wager I have a good chance at surviving,” Atticus chuckles. “I would just have to breakout the heavy ammo.”As he speaks, ice starts to wrap around his muscular arms and form into what looks like machine guns. Damn, he really was capable, wasn’t he? With his ice magic, Vance’s blood magic, and my combat skills, I was sure that we would be okay.“Fine,” Vance huffs. “But remember, my father is mine.”“I need his heart,” Atticus counters. "Therefore, I should be..."“He’s mine,” Vance repeats more firmly. “I’ll give you his fucking heart before i
[Vance’s POV]My gaze stays fixed on Tabitha as she stares in the direction that ice fae bastard disappeared in. As much as I tried to tell myself that I didn’t give two shits if they had something, seeing her so fucking hurt over his leaving left a bad taste in my mouth.“Are you just going to sit there?” I ask, unable to continue to watch her misery. “Don’t you think we should get out of here too before someone finds this?"As I speak, I motion to the pile of ice, flesh, and bone that covers the floor. It was only a matter of time before someone realized that August’s remains were up here, and I didn’t want to be present when that happened.The fae stuck together through most things, and to kill one of their own would make you all of their enemy. I couldn’t wait to see how things would work out for Atticus due to what he did, but for now, the repercussions would have to wait.“No,” Tabitha says softly, finally snapping out of her daze. “I’m not.”“Then let’s go.” I huff, pulling up